Theme Park Rangers

Fans of Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights have embraced a nervous little pumpkin that first debuted at the 2017 event. Now featured prominently in merchandise for this year's HHN by name, Lil' Boo has become the event's unofficial mascot. His creator, Emory Alvarado, a transgender Venezuelan-American artist talks with Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Katie Rice about advocating for independent artists and showing others there is space in the theme park design industry for diverse voices.

• Meet Lil' Boo's creator (:00)
• Lil' Boo's origin story (4:24)
• Lil' Boo becomes theme park icon (8:15)
• Leap to freelance artist (11:43)
• Creating a path for others (15:15)
• Giving credit where credit is due (23:15)
• What's next for Lil' Boo (34:04)

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss innovative ideas at SeaWorld's Howl-O-Scream such as sparking ghouls, incorporating height to enhance scares and a sea goddess/drag queen show that will cost an additional $10.

• Tips: Maps & bag policy (:49)
• Lessons learned from inaugural year (6:44)
• Kiddo's Spooktacular moves (8:00)
• Houses: New, re-imagined, returning (9:47)
• 7 scare zones (14:41)
• 4 shows (18:21)
• Add ons: Drag show & No Boo necklace (21:51)
• Elsewhere: Legoland & Gatorland (29:30)

The gathering of D23, Disney's official fan club, brought some answers and just as many questions. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss Tron, Moana, Figment, Hatbox ghost, Tiana and blue sky ideas.

• Tron opening (1:08)
• Spectaculars returning (4:16)
• Moana & Figment at Epcot (11:05)
• Haunted Mansion addition (14:50)
• Tiana's Bayou Adventure details (17:48)
• Blue sky ideas (23:27)
• Disney 100 Years of Wonder (31:48)

"Going through 10 houses in one night is probably not recommended by your doctor," Central Florida Explorer Patrick Connolly explains about the scares he experienced at the 31st edition of Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights. He joins OS tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discussing the spooky event.

• House #1: Dead Man's Pier: Winter's Wake (1:45)
• House #2: Halloween (4:10)
• House #3: Universal Monsters: Legends Collide (8:06)
• Live stage shows (11:49)
• House #4: The Horrors of Blumhouse (14:41)
• House #5: Bugs: Eaten Alive (15:42)
• Scare zones (18:35)
• Cocktails and zombie brains (25:12)
• House #6: The Weeknd After Hours Nightmare (26:49)
• House #7: Fiesta de Chupacabras (30:23)

The Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios is now in "technical rehearsal" after closing for scheduled maintenance in January. People have been spotted on Disney's Tron ride and construction has begun on SeaWorld Orlando's seventh roller coaster.

• Revenge of the Mummy returns at Universal (:37)
• Tron at Magic Kingdom (14:51)
• SeaWorld: Orlando's Coaster Capital (23:01)

As theme parks gear up for Halloween extravaganzas, Orlando Sentinel tourism reporters Dewayne Bevil and Katie Rice discuss the next holiday celebrations — and the Grinch plays a big role.

• The Grinch is back in a big way (1:05)
• ICE! returns at Gaylord Palms (2:15)
• Universal Orlando's holiday offerings (13:48)
• Disney World's Christmas plan (17:58)

Halloween is kicking into high gear at area theme parks. Find out all the details on Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Universal Orlando's HHN and SeaWorld's Howl-O-Scream event.

• Mickey's Not-So-Scary (:00)
• "Hocus Pocus" generation (4:40)
• Meet Max Goof - Goofy's son (5:38)
• Halloween overlays on rides (8:47)
• Spooky, spicy food offerings (12:13)
• HHN info dump: 6 new houses (18:22)
• HHN scare zones (25:00)
• HHN live shows (28:13)
• SeaWorld reimagines a house (30:57)

Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Katie Rice discusses scavenger hunts created by and for Universal and Disney visitors.

• Rules for hunt (1:19)
• How it works (2:59)
• Creation of Universally Crafted (5:38)
• The goods (9:29)
• A community of love, support (12:52)
• How to get involved (17:01)

Disney's MagicBand+ interactive wristband "talks" to the 50th anniversary statues, creates a personal light show during some spectaculars and enables wearers to play a Star Wars game in Hollywood Studios — but is it worth the price?

• MagicBand+: Statue interaction (1:15)
• MB+: Star Wars game (6:52)
• MB+: Personal light show (10:37)
• MB+: Is it worth the price? (12:45)
• The Weeknd at HHN (24:06)
• Horror Nights tickets packages (28:44)

It's time again for the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which can dominate the theme park for months. Orlando Sentinel tourism reporter Dewayne Bevil and food reporter Amy Drew Thompson talk about this year's event, which runs through Nov. 19.